Battering of reverse recoil spring plug

[Rob S]

I took my Kimber Eclipse Pro II (4" barrel) apart and had to use an oak dowel with a small hammer to tap the reverse recoil spring plug loose. The "shoulder" or "ledge" that seats the plug against the front of the frame was quite battered and the plug returns to its normal position only with difficulty. Recently I put a Wilson 20# Commander recoil spring in the pistol--prior to that I had used Kimber recoil springs--and I have put maybe 150 rounds through the gun since then. Since changing the recoil spring I have had a few problems with the empties being ejected, thus producing stoppages. Before this it was a reliable pistol, one that I would carry.

Two groups of questions:
1. Can such a change in the spring produce my described battering and FTE's? Could the Wilson Spring actually have a higher rating than listed and produce the battering? Does anyone know the rating of the Kimber springs for this pistol(??20#??)? What does Kimber recommend?? Does the fact that it is a 4" barrel and not a 4 and 1/2 inch barrel, a la Colt, make a difference in recoil spring function?
2. Because I wonder about the quality of the steel that Kimber used to make the spring plug, can anyone suggest a first quality, top-rate replacement plug, with or without the guide rod? Has anyone used Sprinco, Nowlin, Wilson
in this particular pistol or a similar one?

By the way, the ammo that I have used recently in this gun has been CCI Aluminum Blazer, 230 gr FMJ. And I do NOT use a shock buff in this gun.
Thank you for any help you can provide.
Rob S

[Jim Watson]

I haven't got a Kimber of any flavor but I have noticed that Wolff lists OACP springs for the 4" Kimbers, not the same as for the 4.25" true Commanders. Wilson lists a specific spring for their and Kimber 4.0" guns, not the same as for the 4.25" true Commanders or OACP.

I think your Commander spring may be too long and is compressing solid and is trying to punch the plug out the front of the slide, stressing its flange in a direction it is not made to take.

I would definitely replace the plug but I don't know offhand which would fit other than a Kimber factory standard for that odd length.

[Rob S]

Jim Watson
Thank you for pointing out something that I should have known or thought of. I have a supply of Wilson and Wolff springs for a Para Ordnance P13, and I just assumed that they were fine for the Kimber Eclipse Pro. Well, I was wrong--the gun problem is my fault. I'll order a new reverse recoil spring plug and be good to go again.
Rob S

[p01forme3]

I had a similar problem omn my Officer ACP. I shot the plug out. Reassemble the gun without the recoil spring. Bring the slide all the way back and mark its max location on the frame.
Then assemble with the recoil spring and check that it is at the same mark. If not trime the spring.

[Kruzr]

A Kimber Pro size takes a 22# full diameter Officer's spring. Your Commander springs were too long and that's what caused the battering. Wolff now makes a spring especially for the 4" Kimbers. It's longer than the Officer's spring but shorter than a Commander spring. It should give a longer life than the 800 rounds recommended on the Officer's springs.